2023
Combination HIV prevention during pregnancy and the post‐partum period in Malawi and Zambia: a mathematical modelling analysis
Powers K, Mutale W, Rosenberg N, Graybill L, Mollan K, Freeborn K, Saidi F, Maman S, Mulenga P, Jahn A, Nyirenda R, Stringer J, Vermund S, H. B. Combination HIV prevention during pregnancy and the post‐partum period in Malawi and Zambia: a mathematical modelling analysis. Journal Of The International AIDS Society 2023, 26: e26128. PMID: 37403422, PMCID: PMC10320044, DOI: 10.1002/jia2.26128.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsFemale HIV transmissionMaternal HIV acquisitionMaternal HIV incidenceHIV prevention strategiesPost-partum periodAntiretroviral therapyHIV transmissionMale partnersHIV acquisitionHIV incidenceANC patientsPrevention strategiesCombination HIV prevention strategiesCombination HIV prevention interventionSuppressive antiretroviral therapyPre-exposure prophylaxisVertical HIV transmissionAntenatal care programsCombination HIV preventionHIV prevention interventionsANC initiationART initiationUnsuppressed HIVIncident infectionsUndiagnosed HIV
2022
Preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy: challenges in clinical practice
Yang H, DeWan A, Desai M, Vermund S. Preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy: challenges in clinical practice. Human Genomics 2022, 16: 69. PMID: 36536471, PMCID: PMC9764701, DOI: 10.1186/s40246-022-00442-8.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPreimplantation genetic testingGenetic testingFetal disordersReproductive centerClinical practiceDefinitive guidelinesDrug AdministrationScreening testCurrent professional guidelinesDisease riskDiagnostic testsMosaic embryosProfessional guidelinesBlastocyst stagePGTAneuploidyAppropriate agenciesGenetic disease riskGuidelinesPatientsAdministrationNo evidence of fetal defects or anti-syncytin-1 antibody induction following COVID-19 mRNA vaccination
Lu-Culligan A, Tabachnikova A, Pérez-Then E, Tokuyama M, Lee HJ, Lucas C, Monteiro V, Miric M, Brache V, Cochon L, Muenker MC, Mohanty S, Huang J, Kang I, Dela Cruz C, Farhadian S, Campbell M, Yildirim I, Shaw AC, Ma S, Vermund SH, Ko AI, Omer SB, Iwasaki A. No evidence of fetal defects or anti-syncytin-1 antibody induction following COVID-19 mRNA vaccination. PLOS Biology 2022, 20: e3001506. PMID: 35609110, PMCID: PMC9129011, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001506.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCOVID-19 mRNA vaccinationMRNA vaccinationEarly pregnancyFetal sizeCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mRNA vaccinationSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2Acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2Respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2Maternal antibody statusAdverse neonatal outcomesSyndrome coronavirus 2Birth defectsPolyinosinic-polycytidylic acidCrown-rump lengthGross birth defectsUnvaccinated adultsMaternal illnessNeonatal outcomesVaccinated adultsAntibody statusTLR3 agonistEarly immunizationMurine pregnancyAntibody inductionCoronavirus 2
2021
Sexually Transmitted Infections in the U.S. Military: A Sexual Health Paradigm to Address Risk Behaviors, Unintended Pregnancy, Alcohol Use, and Sexual Trauma
Boyer CB, Gaydos CA, Geller AB, Garges EC, Vermund SH. Sexually Transmitted Infections in the U.S. Military: A Sexual Health Paradigm to Address Risk Behaviors, Unintended Pregnancy, Alcohol Use, and Sexual Trauma. Military Medicine 2021, 187: 140-143. PMID: 34626194, PMCID: PMC10558038, DOI: 10.1093/milmed/usab407.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHealth care accessSTI controlSexual health paradigmCare accessSexual healthFrequency of STIUniversal health care accessCity Health OfficialsUniversal health care systemHealth care systemSTI careTransmitted InfectionsSTI preventionActive duty serviceSTI riskUnintended pregnancyHigh prevalenceHealth paradigmConsensus studyPrevention outcomesRisk behaviorsOngoing epidemicMultilevel riskDisease controlProtective factorsPoor retention and care-related sex disparities among youth living with HIV in rural Mozambique
Ahonkhai AA, Aliyu MH, Audet CM, Bravo M, Simmons M, Claquin G, Memiah P, Fernando AN, Carlucci JG, Shepherd BE, Van Rompaey S, Yu Z, Gong W, Vermund SH, Wester CW. Poor retention and care-related sex disparities among youth living with HIV in rural Mozambique. PLOS ONE 2021, 16: e0250921. PMID: 34019582, PMCID: PMC8139489, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0250921.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHigher oddsCombination antiretroviral therapy (cART) initiationCox proportional hazards modelCare continuum outcomesComprehensive HIV programsPost-ART initiationYoung adults 15Antiretroviral therapy initiationRetrospective cohort studySex-related disparitiesMultivariable logistic regressionOne-year followProportional hazards modelYears of agePL femalesSex-related differencesART initiationAYA cohortTherapy initiationCohort studyContinuum outcomesHIV outcomesClinical visitsAdults 15HIV programsThe Historic Elimination of Mother-to-Child HIV and Syphilis Transmission in Puerto Rico.
Vermund SH, Febo I. The Historic Elimination of Mother-to-Child HIV and Syphilis Transmission in Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico Health Sciences Journal 2021, 40: 3-5. PMID: 33876911, PMCID: PMC8363137.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHigh background prevalenceElimination of HIVWorld Health OrganizationChildren HIVInfection overallPerinatal transmissionAntenatal servicesBackground prevalenceHIV riskSyphilis transmissionSyphilis therapyHIVHealth OrganizationSyphilisMothersPuerto RicoInfantsTherapyPrevalenceCareEliminationWomen
2020
Incident HIV among pregnant and breast-feeding women in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Graybill LA, Kasaro M, Freeborn K, Walker JS, Poole C, Powers KA, Mollan KR, Rosenberg NE, Vermund SH, Mutale W, Chi BH. Incident HIV among pregnant and breast-feeding women in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis. AIDS 2020, 34: 761-776. PMID: 32167990, PMCID: PMC7275092, DOI: 10.1097/qad.0000000000002487.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsBreast-feeding womenMaternal HIV incidenceHIV incidenceHIV acquisitionIncidence rateHIV preventionSystematic reviewHigh HIV incidencePartner's HIV statusHIV incidence ratesCombination HIV preventionNonpregnant periodsIncident HIVTreatment landscapeHIV statusSaharan AfricaElevated riskSummary estimatesRelevant conferencesIncidenceAverage incidenceLimited evidenceWomenCalendar timePreventionMeasuring child survival for the Millennium Development Goals in Africa: what have we learned and what more is needed to evaluate the Sustainable Development Goals?
Brault MA, Mwinga K, Kipp AM, Kennedy SB, Maimbolwa M, Moyo P, Ngure K, Haley CA, Vermund SH. Measuring child survival for the Millennium Development Goals in Africa: what have we learned and what more is needed to evaluate the Sustainable Development Goals? Global Health Action 2020, 13: 1732668. PMID: 32114967, PMCID: PMC7067162, DOI: 10.1080/16549716.2020.1732668.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSustainable Development Goal periodMillennium Development GoalsDevelopment GoalsGoal periodAreas of governanceMillennium Development Goal periodKey global health challengeSustainable Development GoalsChild mortalityCountry‐specific goalsQualitative data collectionPolicy documentsNational contextsRegion nationsCountries—KenyaQualitative interviewsSub-Saharan AfricaMethodological opportunitiesInternational goalsFamiliar themesValuable lessonsCountriesCase studyChild survivalQuantitative indicators
2019
Low awareness of influenza vaccination among pregnant women and their obstetricians: a population-based survey in Beijing, China
Wang J, Sun D, Abudusaimaiti X, Vermund SH, Li D, Hu Y. Low awareness of influenza vaccination among pregnant women and their obstetricians: a population-based survey in Beijing, China. Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics 2019, 15: 2637-2643. PMID: 30932729, PMCID: PMC6930072, DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2019.1596713.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAntenatal influenza vaccinationInfluenza vaccinationPregnant womenNational Health CommissionMore high-quality trialsHigh-quality trialsBenefits of vaccinationPopulation-based surveyHistory of vaccinationChina National Health CommissionPregnant patientsAntenatal clinicInfluenza vaccineInfluenza knowledgeSame clinicVaccinationObstetriciansPregnancyHealth CommissionWomenClinicLow awarenessGovernment recommendationsRelevant evidenceQuestionnairePromoting progress in child survival across four African countries: the role of strong health governance and leadership in maternal, neonatal and child health
Haley CA, Brault MA, Mwinga K, Desta T, Ngure K, Kennedy SB, Maimbolwa M, Moyo P, Vermund SH, Kipp AM, Kabaka S, Sergon K, Clarke A, Duworko M, Kalesha-Masumbu P, Katepa-Bwalya M, Madzima B, Kanyowa T, Habimana P. Promoting progress in child survival across four African countries: the role of strong health governance and leadership in maternal, neonatal and child health. Health Policy And Planning 2019, 34: 24-36. PMID: 30698696, PMCID: PMC6479825, DOI: 10.1093/heapol/czy105.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsChild survivalChild mortalityChild healthWorld Health Organization (WHO) African RegionCoordination of servicesSaharan AfricaHealth governanceMortalityDevelopment GoalsCurrent sustainable development goalsStudy countriesSurvivalMNCHPace of reductionTwo-thirdsHealth leadershipSustainable Development GoalsMillennium Development GoalsCross-country analysisAfrican regionFour-country studyTop national priorityHealthSufficient humanIndividual case studies
2018
Surveillance of Maternal Syphilis in China: Pregnancy Outcomes and Determinants of Congenital Syphilis
Zhang X, Yu Y, Yang H, Xu H, Vermund SH, Liu K. Surveillance of Maternal Syphilis in China: Pregnancy Outcomes and Determinants of Congenital Syphilis. Medical Science Monitor 2018, 24: 7727-7735. PMID: 30370903, PMCID: PMC6216479, DOI: 10.12659/msm.910216.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAdverse pregnancy outcomesPregnancy outcomesCongenital syphilisPregnant womenFirst antenatal care visitEligible pregnant womenPrevention of motherAntenatal care visitsIndependent risk factorMultivariable regression analysisLogistic regression analysisRegression analysisChild transmissionMaternal syphilisAntenatal careCare visitsNeonatal asphyxiaNeonatal deathFirst trimesterRisk womenAntibody titersAntenatal testingEpidemiological characteristicsRisk factorsSyphilis diagnosisFactors influencing rapid progress in child health in post-conflict Liberia: a mixed methods country case study on progress in child survival, 2000–2013
Brault MA, Kennedy SB, Haley CA, Clarke AT, Duworko MC, Habimana P, Vermund SH, Kipp AM, Mwinga K. Factors influencing rapid progress in child health in post-conflict Liberia: a mixed methods country case study on progress in child survival, 2000–2013. BMJ Open 2018, 8: e021879. PMID: 30327401, PMCID: PMC6196853, DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-021879.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCivil warPost-conflict settingsCountry’s civil warCountry case studiesPost-conflict LiberiaDepth case studyCommunity-based organizationsKey informant interviewsAfrican regionCase studyFocus group discussionsChild survivalDonor organizationsLiberia experienceQualitative interviewsInformant interviewsNational documentsIntersectoral collaborationFour CountriesTraditional midwivesGroup discussionsChild health programsLiberiaWarGoal 4“I will leave the baby with my mother”: Long‐distance travel and follow‐up care among HIV‐positive pregnant and postpartum women in South Africa
Clouse K, Fox MP, Mongwenyana C, Motlhatlhedi M, Buthelezi S, Bokaba D, Norris SA, Bassett J, Lurie MN, Aronoff DM, Vermund SH. “I will leave the baby with my mother”: Long‐distance travel and follow‐up care among HIV‐positive pregnant and postpartum women in South Africa. Journal Of The International AIDS Society 2018, 21: e25121. PMID: 30027665, PMCID: PMC6053484, DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25121.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSouth AfricaNine provincesMotivation of travelLong-distance travelSouth Africa's nine provincesPostpartum womenPeripartum periodGreater JohannesburgSouth African provincesCare of familiesFragmented healthcare systemContinuity of HIVHIV-positive womenMobile populationsTravel patternsUrban African settingAfrican provincesJohannesburgHealthcare accessFrequent travelMedian durationMedian ageDiverse clinicsFrequent mobilityGauteng ProvincePartners-based HIV treatment for seroconcordant couples attending antenatal and postnatal care in rural Mozambique: A cluster randomized trial protocol
Audet CM, Graves E, Barreto E, De Schacht C, Gong W, Shepherd BE, Aboobacar A, Gonzalez-Calvo L, Alvim MF, Aliyu MH, Kipp AM, Jordan H, Amico KR, Diemer M, Ciaranello A, Dugdale C, Vermund SH, Van Rompaey S. Partners-based HIV treatment for seroconcordant couples attending antenatal and postnatal care in rural Mozambique: A cluster randomized trial protocol. Contemporary Clinical Trials 2018, 71: 63-69. PMID: 29879469, PMCID: PMC6067957, DOI: 10.1016/j.cct.2018.05.020.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsChild transmissionSeroconcordant couplesMale partnersResource-limited rural settingsElimination of motherRoutine clinical dataUptake of servicesClinical trial designMale partner approvalAntiretroviral therapyHIV careAntenatal careRural MozambiqueHIV servicesPostnatal carePregnant womenHIV treatmentTrial protocolClinical dataHealth facilitiesTrial designHIVNewborn childrenPartner approvalEngagement interventions
2017
The introduction of new policies and strategies to reduce inequities and improve child health in Kenya: A country case study on progress in child survival, 2000-2013
Brault MA, Ngure K, Haley CA, Kabaka S, Sergon K, Desta T, Mwinga K, Vermund SH, Kipp AM. The introduction of new policies and strategies to reduce inequities and improve child health in Kenya: A country case study on progress in child survival, 2000-2013. PLOS ONE 2017, 12: e0181777. PMID: 28763454, PMCID: PMC5538680, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0181777.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultChild HealthChild Health ServicesChild MortalityChild, PreschoolFemaleFocus GroupsHealth PolicyHealth Status DisparitiesHealthcare DisparitiesHIV InfectionsHumansInfantInfant MortalityInfant, NewbornInfectious Disease Transmission, VerticalKenyaMaleMaternal Health ServicesNeonatologyObstetricsPregnancyRural PopulationUrban PopulationYoung AdultConceptsCommunity health strategyNew policiesAFRO regionQualitative dataCountry case studiesUser feesChild survivalDepth case studyMillennium Development GoalsInsufficient progressEssential packageFour-country studyCase studyPolicies/strategiesKenya's effortsPolicy reviewDevelopment GoalsHealth strategiesNational documentsNeonatal careGeographic inequitiesInequitiesKey barriersProvision of immunizationsAfrican regionHIV status disclosure, facility-based delivery and postpartum retention of mothers in a prevention clinical trial in rural Nigeria
Sarko KA, Blevins M, Ahonkhai AA, Audet CM, Moon TD, Gebi UI, Gana AM, Wester CW, Vermund SH, Aliyu MH. HIV status disclosure, facility-based delivery and postpartum retention of mothers in a prevention clinical trial in rural Nigeria. International Health 2017, 9: 243-251. PMID: 28810669, PMCID: PMC5881261, DOI: 10.1093/inthealth/ihx023.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHIV status disclosureFacility-based deliveryPostpartum retentionStatus disclosureHIV statusIntervention armWeeks postpartumChild HIV transmission (PMTCT) trialTrial intervention armPrevention of motherUnknown HIV statusPrevention clinical trialsMixed-effects logistic regressionEffects logistic regressionPMTCT continuumHIV careTreatment-naïveAntenatal carePregnant womenFacility deliveryMaternal ageObstetric servicesCare measuresClinical trialsHealth facilitiesMobility and Clinic Switching Among Postpartum Women Considered Lost to HIV Care in South Africa
Clouse K, Vermund SH, Maskew M, Lurie MN, MacLeod W, Malete G, Carmona S, Sherman G, Fox MP. Mobility and Clinic Switching Among Postpartum Women Considered Lost to HIV Care in South Africa. JAIDS Journal Of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes 2017, 74: 383-389. PMID: 28225717, PMCID: PMC5324708, DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000001284.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHIV careNational Health Laboratory Service databaseLow CD4 cell countsNational Antiretroviral Therapy ProgramCD4 cell countObservational cohort studyAntiretroviral therapy programsAntiretroviral therapyCohort studyPostpartum womenPublic clinicsService databaseCell countTherapy programCareWomenLTFUClinicOne-thirdDaysPatientsPregnancyTherapyImpact of a critical health workforce shortage on child health in Zimbabwe: a country case study on progress in child survival, 2000–2013
Haley CA, Vermund SH, Moyo P, Kipp AM, Madzima B, Kanyowa T, Desta T, Mwinga K, Brault MA. Impact of a critical health workforce shortage on child health in Zimbabwe: a country case study on progress in child survival, 2000–2013. Health Policy And Planning 2017, 32: 613-624. PMID: 28064212, PMCID: PMC5406757, DOI: 10.1093/heapol/czw162.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHealth workersMortality rateHealth servicesPost-natal care visitsHigh neonatal mortality rateChild health servicesLife-saving health servicesCommunity health workersNeonatal mortality rateLife-saving interventionsCommunity-based treatmentMillennium Development Goals fourLower-level cadresHealth workforce shortagesCritical shortageHigh child mortalityNational health policyCare visitsPregnant womenSenior providersHealth staffChild healthChild survivalHealth workforceChild mortality
2016
Improving access to child health services at the community level in Zambia: a country case study on progress in child survival, 2000–2013
Kipp AM, Maimbolwa M, Brault MA, Kalesha-Masumbu P, Katepa-Bwalya M, Habimana P, Vermund SH, Mwinga K, Haley CA. Improving access to child health services at the community level in Zambia: a country case study on progress in child survival, 2000–2013. Health Policy And Planning 2016, 32: 603-612. PMID: 28453711, PMCID: PMC5964895, DOI: 10.1093/heapol/czw141.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMNCH servicesCountry case studiesChild survivalMillennium Development GoalsCommunity health strategyOngoing reformsDevelopment GoalsKey informantsNational commitmentNational documentsHealth servicesMDG periodFinancing limitationsQualitative dataAfrican countriesCountry studiesNational Health Strategic PlansCommunity levelExternal partnersBasic transportationCommunity health workersChild health servicesUniversal accessFunding increasesCommunity womenPatient and Provider Satisfaction With a Comprehensive Strategy to Improve Prevention of Mother-to-Child HIV Transmission Services in Rural Nigeria
Boehmer A, Audet CM, Blevins M, Gebi UI, Wester CW, Vermund SH, Aliyu MH. Patient and Provider Satisfaction With a Comprehensive Strategy to Improve Prevention of Mother-to-Child HIV Transmission Services in Rural Nigeria. JAIDS Journal Of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes 2016, 72: s117-s123. PMID: 27355498, PMCID: PMC5113240, DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000001058.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPrevention of motherProvider satisfactionPatient satisfactionWeeks postpartumControl armIntervention sitesChild HIV transmission servicesChild HIV transmission rateMother-infant careCD4 cell countHIV transmission ratesCluster-randomized trialTotal patient satisfactionAntiretroviral therapyHIV careChild transmissionPrescribed treatmentClinician satisfactionHealth personnelLower cadre workersCell countHealth problemsMale involvementProvider rolesProviders' ability